The report said the KMT official suggested making the ※religious visit as simple as possible§ and thus suggested canceling the press conference.
However, both the representative office and Kaohsiung City Government officials denied the report, but added that they were in the process of creating a final itinerary. The meeting was still in progress as of press time.
Chen yesterday said she would be at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to welcome the Tibetan spiritual leader on behalf of her city.
IF POSSIBLE
If possible, she would accompany the Dalai Lama on his trip to Kaohsiung City by high-speed rail, she added.
Chen also thanked to Ma for approving the visit, saying that the invitation to the Dalai Lama was based on humanitarian grounds.
※There are still hundreds of fellow citizens buried under the mud. I am grateful to President Ma for agreeing to the visit by the Dalai Lama,§ Chen said.
Chen dismissed allegations that inviting Dalai Lama was s political plot.
※The Aug. 8 flooding was a calamity for Taiwan. Members of religious communities all expressed their sympathies and that was beyond partisan politics. I hope more people will give Taiwan blessings,§ she said.
SHUT OUT
Meanwhile, in contrast to Ma Ying-jeou and Vice President Vincent Siew (慬媬薞), Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (魦旄讔) said yesterday that he would not shut himself out of events where he might run into the Dalai Lama.
※[I will] not reject meeting with [the Dalai Lama]. It all depends on chance,§ Wang said.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY CHU PEIHSIUNG,TUNGCHEN-KUO AND HSIEH WEN-HUA
Also See: MORAKOT: THE AFTERMATH: Religious groups mixed on Dalai Lama
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